BTCC 2010 Preview: Silverline Chevrolet – Chevrolet Cruze

#2 Jason Plato – #20 Alex MacDowall

Chevrolet enter their maiden British Touring Car Championship season as an official manufacturer with Jason Plato leading the squad alongside rapid youngster Alex MacDowall.

Plato will be considered one of the favourites to claim the title, having come within 5 points of it in the 2009 season, at the wheel of the Chevrolet Lacetti. By the end of the season, the Plato – Silverline – Lacetti combination was the fastest, and Plato finished with 7 wins, when 3 days before the season kicked off it looked like he'd be plumbing in a new bathroom.

Plato will be aiming to at least match the record of Andy Rouse by taking his 60th BTCC victory during the season – he currently has 53.

For MacDowall, the graduation into the BTCC came after a solid year in the Elf Renault Clio Cup, where he took 4 wins en route to claiming the runners up laurels to Phil Glew.

Lack of track time could hamper Plato in his quest for a second BTCC crown; however the pace from the car and the team could make up for MacDowall's lack of experience.

Season Prediction:

Plato will be there at the end of the season, and if he keeps his nose clean and doesn’t get into any scraps with other drivers, the title is there for the taking. For MacDowall, a steep learning curve will mean that expectations will be lower. A win before the end of the season is a possibility.